“The new Scarva FLAXpaperCLAY body will, I feel, be the best product on the market in this fast developing area of ceramics." Ian Gregory.

“I have, as you know, been one of the main pioneers of adding fibres and paper to clay bodies in order to develop new methods of making. But I can only say that your new Scarva FLAXpaperCLAY offers all that one could expect from such thorough research on your part.

Scarva FLAXpaperCLAY is very versatile, strong and flexible at all stages of the making process. Its reinforcing property with the flax fibre content allows the clay to be stretched without tearing. The fibres also seem to add tremendous strength to the sculpture as it dries and this gives a much greater handling ability before firing.

I have been very impressed with other properties, for example, the clay can be joined in a conventionally plastic-to-plastic state, but also quite radically plastic-to-dry or dry-to-dry, allowing repairs at any stage, before and after firing. This opens up a whole new field of development in both construction and firing methods.’’

PLEASE NOTE: ES600 contains cellulose fibre this may contain traces of carbon that are produced during the production of the fibre which may result in the occasional speck in the clay.

Scarva FLAXpaperCLAY allows the potter to be more of an artist and less of a technician.• Incredibly strong slabs - even extra thin slabs will fold, bend and drape without tearing.• Extra large or thick forms hold up under their own weight.• Greenware re-wets easily and evenly allowing you to re-work, alter or add new clay at any stage of dryness. It is possible with this clay body to build an armature and allow it to dry as a support sculpture that need not be removed for firing. • Moisture evaporates so evenly from this clay body that it can be force dried with excellent results.• Exaggerated forms hold their shape. Be careful not to get too extreme: once bisqued, the fibre structure burns out and slumping may occur if the base clay is over fired.• Greenware, even bone dry, is unbelievably strong and easy to handle or transport if necessary.• Make Scarva FLAXpaperCLAY into a putty to repair cracks in greenware or to construct forms out of previously made modules. You may even repair or add to already bisqued Scarva FLAXpaperCLAY. For best results you should re-bisque ware after making alterations.• In addition, the burn out of the flax fibres results in a noticeably lower fired weight, especially in large-scale works and the resulting openness gives improved thermal shock properties to most clay bodies. Firings can be Oxidised, Reduced, Raku or Salt and Soda.

During firing combustion of organic, cellulose pulp and flax fibres will create a smoke effect - avoid inhalation. The kiln should be well-ventilated, i.e. suitable extraction fan or canopy fitted that allows the fumes to be safely removed from the kiln room. Without adequate venation it could trigger a smoke alarm.

I purchased a bag of porcelain grogged paperclay to experiment with this new material. I have to admit I had no previous experience with paperclay, but I found it very soft, very malleable, but, at the same time very resistant to crackle and fractures. I was able to create thin and delicate pieces which survived the firing! Very impressive material. I will definitely order more!

Hello, could I fire a piece made from this material once in high temperature (without biscuit firing first)? Thanks

Scarva Replies:

As long as the piece is unglazed this is no problem simply increase your biscuit firing program final temperature from 1000°C to your desired end temperature, do not however simply use a glaze firing schedule these tend to be a lot faster than bisque firings and the work may blow up if fired to quickly.

SignefromDenmarkasks

I would like to know 2 things: what size is the grog and what kind of grog is it?